chased clear leader until ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, hit 2 out, poor 5th when ballooned and fell heavily last
held up towards rear, headway chasing leading pair 5th, 2nd going well before 2 out, upsides last, ridden and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
prominent in chasing group, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, rallied next, went 3rd between last 2, kept on run-in
never travelled and soon pushed along towards rear, tailed off 5th
not fluent 1st, always in rear, hit 5th, tailed off when blundered 3 out
led and soon well clear, hit 5th, reduced lead before 2 out, headed and hit 2 out, chased leading pair until between last 2, weakened before the last
3rd in chasing group until jumped slowly 3rd, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
prominent in chasing group, tracked leading pair 3rd until 5th, chased leading trio, 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out, joined last, hard ridden run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards
held up towards rear, pushed along and strugging in 6th after 3 out, went left final 2, tailed off
Smart Catch was second in this last year when 6lb higher but he’s been beaten in sellers in his last two starts. Cleni Wells beat Chieftain’s Choice just under two lengths at Kempton last week but the runner-up is now 7lb better off. Master Vintage has been raised 9lb for his comeback victory at Leicester but has been very lightly raced. CENTURIUS (NAP) has to be of interest off his current mark with his stable in much better form now. Venetia Williams’ charge wasn’t beaten far at Hereford before Christmas but has been dropped a further 3lb and won on soft going at Huntingdon around this time last year.
Bella (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden to chase winner before last, no extra and lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 5, 10 1/4l behind Whizzzey Rascal (11-10) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-11) Held up well in rear, headway when not fluent 3 out, every chance next, kept on, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Cleni Wells (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Cleni Wells (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Chieftain's Choice (11-11) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Baraymi (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader on inside, led approaching 4th, reminders after nxt, pushed along and strongly pressed when fell 8th, at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Royal Hall (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on inside tracking leaders 4th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, 5th of 9, 25 1/4l behind The Caller (11-4) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Master Vintage 16-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, made all, clear 2nd until after 5th, mistake 3 out, clear again flat, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Trapper Peak (11-10) by 6l, 12 ran.
Kingston (GER) 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders on outside, lost place before 2nd, closed after next, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before normal 2 out, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Centurius 6-1 (10-6) Mid-division on inside, hampered 4th, headway next, every chance when not fluent 2 out, beaten before last, no extra flat, 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Stamp Your Feet (10-5) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Smart Catch (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon chased winner, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Paddocks Lounge (11-6) at Leicester 2m 4f (5) gs in Jan.